Lead Sous Chef – High-Volume Stadium Dining & Innovation

Sodexo Group; Leeds; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellbeing support

Employee assistance programme

Sodexo discounts

Cycle to work

Pension / retirement plan

Job summary

Sodexo Live! Headingley Stadium in Leeds invites applications for a Senior Sous Chef role. You will join a high-profile stadium kitchen, leading the culinary team on matchdays and large events. This is a rare opportunity to shape the guest dining experience at one of Yorkshire’s premier venues.

The role focuses on premium hospitality, menu innovation, and delivering exceptional food quality while managing cost controls and staffing for busy event calendars.

Qualifications

• Experience in high-volume hospitality, events, stadium, hotel or banqueting environments.
• Strong background in fine dining, premium hospitality or quality-led catering.
• Proven experience leading and developing kitchen teams.
• Passion for food trends, innovation and menu development.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong financial understanding, including food cost control and margin management.
• Senior Sous Chef or Head Chef experience preferred.
• Experience in stadiums or large-scale hospitality operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations across matchdays, events and hospitality functions.
• Support menu development and culinary innovation.
• Deliver exceptional food quality and presentation standards.
• Inspire, coach and develop chefs at all levels.
• Manage food safety, HACCP and compliance standards.
• Support client tastings and menu presentations.
• Drive profitability through effective food cost control.
• Plan labour requirements and support kitchen resourcing.
• Ensure operational readiness for high-profile events and major fixtures.
• Deputise for Executive Head Chef and Head Chef when required.

Job description

Sodexo Live! Headingley Stadium in Leeds invites applications for a Senior Sous Chef role. You will join a high-profile stadium kitchen, leading the culinary team on matchdays and large events. This is a rare opportunity to shape the guest dining experience at one of Yorkshire’s premier venues.

The role focuses on premium hospitality, menu innovation, and delivering exceptional food quality while managing cost controls and staffing for busy event calendars.